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Vodafone Super Rugby wrap: Round Nine

George Bridge bagged a hat-trick as the Crusaders juggernaut rumbled over the the Stormers 57-24 in their clash in Christchurch on Saturday.

Kieran Read added two tries and Michael Alaalatoa, Pete Samu and Manasa Mataele also made their way to the try line as the Crusaders mounted an eight-try stampede to remain unbeaten after eight matches.

It was a record score for the Crusaders over the Stormers, built on a spree of outlandish offloads that saw the Crusaders race to a 36-3 lead by halftime.

The Stormers, who have now suffered back-to-back losses after falling to the Lions last week, started out determined to record their first ever win in Christchurch.

But the first time the Crusaders were able to mount an attack of consequence, Bridge scored the first of his tries to open the floodgates.

"I don't think we touched the ball for the first 10-15 minutes but when we did get our hands on it we used it well," captain Sam Whitelock said, but added it was not a complete performance.

RESULT

Crusaders 57

Stormers 24

Highlanders vs Sunwolves

In Invercargill, the Highlanders continued their rebound from a disappointing start to the season with a 40-15 bonus-point victory over the Sunwolves on Saturday.

After winning just one of their first four matches, the Highlanders have now won four in a row with the six tries-to-two try win over the Japanese side.

But while the scoreline looked overwhelming, Highlanders captain Ben Smith admitted it was not a perfect performance.

RESULT

Highlanders 40

Sunwolves 15

Lions vs Jaguares

In Johannesburg, the Lions encountered unexpectedly tough resistance from the Jaguares before scraping a 24-21 Super Rugby win on Friday.

RESULT

The Port Elizabeth-based Kings, who are fighting to stay in next year's competition, fought back from 17-0 down to win only their fourth game in two years.

The Kings, who are likely to be consigned to the scrapheap in 2018 as part of SANZAAR's restructuring, trailed 17-7 at half-time but scored the next 19 points before the woeful Waratahs scored a last-minute converted consolation try to claim a losing bonus point.

RESULT

Waratahs 24

Southern Kings 26

Brumbies vs Hurricanes

The Hurricanes turned Super Rugby's best defensive team into statues tonight, scoring six second half tries en route to a 56-21 win over the Brumbies.

Vince Aso's triple treat will draw the headlines but Beauden Barrett set up four of the home side's eight tries - two of them sublime cross field kicks which left the Brumbies stranded.